Idols runner-up Mthokozisi not doing interviews, getting help to deal with emotions

Cape Town - The Idols runner-up Mthokozisi Ndaba is not doing any media interviews at all at the moment and is getting "assistance to deal with emotions" according to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) after he lost to Paxton Fielies who won the 13th season of Idols on Sunday night.

Mthokozisi Ndaba (25) from KwaMashu, Durban who's suffered several setbacks in life, is struggling to come to grips with the fact that he lost to Paxton Fielies (17) from Bishop Lavis, Cape Town and refused to attend the post-show media press conference on Sunday night.

After Paxton Fielies was announced as the winner, Mthokozisi Ndaba literally bolted from the stage while Paxton closed out Sunday's season finale with a song and the other top Idols contestants surrounding her as they traditionally do.

He became the first runner-up no-show in the history of Idols not to attend the press conference afterwards where winner and runner-up sit together and face the media, with Mzansi Magic that said that he was "compose himself".

Nondumiso Mabece, head of publicity at M-Net local entertainment channels, says Mthokozisi Ndaba isn't doing any media interviews and is getting assistance to work through his disappointment.

"Mthokozisi has requested to be given time to come to terms with the result of the Idols show. He will indicate when he is ready to speak to the media".

"He is currently receiving assistance to deal with emotions involved in this situation."

As runner-up Mthokozisi Ndaba doesn't go home empty handed - he won prizes worth more than R150 000, including R50 000 cash from Telkom, R50 000 cash from Capitec bank, R10 000 in vouchers from Truworths, a wireless handheld microphone from Sure of R30 000 and R25 000 worth of musical equipment from Yamaha.

Mthokozisi Ndaba's life has been marred by loss and one traumatic life experience after another. He was orphaned at 14 with his sister and went to live with his grandparents. In 2009 he failed matric when his grandmother died but went back in 2013 and passed, although in that year his firstborn son Ntandoyenkosi died. He'a also had to bury another infant son.

In February this year he was hit over the head and shot in both legs during a robbery at home with his guitar and laptop stolen, and he literally limped back to Idols, initially keeping the incident secret from the producers.

Earlier this year Mthokozisi Ndaba said besides singing his other dream is of doing a TV show entitled Save Me from Me that revolves around helping township youngsters involved with substance abuse to get help and to be connected with people and organisations who can help with the scourge of alcohol and drugs.